Press Release

The Kazakhstan Forum, organised by the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), was recently concluded with great success. The forum brought together nearly 200 government officials, banking professionals and business representatives from Hong Kong and Kazakhstan to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas including economy, finance, energy and sustainable development.

As this year marks the inaugural year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, China continues to promote high-quality development while deepening cooperation with neighbouring regions, including Central Asia. Meanwhile, the accelerated restructuring of global industrial and supply chains, coupled with the rising importance of connectivity along the Eurasian Land Bridge, has created new development opportunities for the Central Asian region. Leveraging its strategic advantages, Kazakhstan is playing an active role in fostering external cooperation across Central Asia.

Under the theme of “Bridging Hong Kong and Kazakhstan: Forging New Frontiers in Central Asia”, the forum featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Mr Zhanbolat Kakishev, Chief Product Officer and Member of the Management Board, Astana International Financial Centre Authority; Mr Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Ms Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion , Invest Hong Kong, HKSAR Government; and Mr Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road, HKSAR Government. The forum also included panel discussions on sustainable financing in Central Asia and capital markets development between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, enhancing participants’ understanding of the financial landscape and financial infrastructure in the Central Asian region.

Mr Sun Yu, Chairman of the HKAB, and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), said in his welcome remarks, “Kazakhstan and China share a deep and enduring relationship. Kazakhstan is not only where the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed, but also China’s permanent comprehensive strategic partner. The two nations have long maintained a close economic and trade partnership, with the bilateral trade growing by 8.9% year-on-year to US$39.8 billion in the first ten months of 2025. In recent years, Kazakh institutions have successively issued Renminbi bonds in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, marking significant milestones in our financial cooperation and highlighting the vast potential of the Kazakh market. As the HKSAR Government has identified Central Asia as one of the key destinations for its future official visits, and is strengthening regional ties through the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, Hong Kong will continue to leverage its role as a ‘super-connector’ to further promote closer economic, trade and financial cooperation with Kazakhstan.”

Looking ahead, HKAB’s Trade Corridor Business Committee will continue to support the industry in seizing opportunities arising from cross-border trade corridors. These efforts will help deepen Hong Kong’s economic and trade ties with emerging markets, continue to expand its circle of friends, and consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

	Photo 1: The Kazakhstan Forum, organised by the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), was successfully held recently under the theme of “Bridging Hong Kong and Kazakhstan: Forging New Frontiers in Central Asia.” From left to right: Ms Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong, HKSAR Government; Mr Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Mr Sun Yu, Chairman of the HKAB, and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Bank of China (Hong Kong); Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov, Consul General, Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong.
	Photo 2: Mr Sun Yu, Chairman of the HKAB, and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), delivers welcome remarks at the HKAB’s Kazakhstan Forum.
	Photo 3: The HKAB’s Kazakhstan Forum brings together nearly 200 government officials, banking professionals and business representatives from Hong Kong and Kazakhstan to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas including economy, finance, energy and sustainable development.

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